Red Dog mine
The Red Dog mine is a large zinc and lead mine in a remote region of Alaska, about 80 miles (130 km) north of Kotzebue, which is owned and operated by the Canadian mining company Teck Resources. It is located within the boundaries of the Red Dog Mine census-designated place in the Northwest Arctic Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska.
| Location | |
|---|---|
Red Dog Mine Location in Alaska | |
| Location | Red Dog Mine, Northwest Arctic Borough |
| State | Alaska |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 68°04′19″N 162°52′34″W |
| Production | |
| Products | Zinc Lead Silver |
| Production | 557,000 long tons (624,000 short tons) of zinc |
| Financial year | 2006 |
| History | |
| Opened | 1989 |
| Closed | currently operating |
| Owner | |
| Company | NANA Regional Corporation |
| Website | http://www.reddogalaska.com/ |
The mine is the world's largest producer of zinc and has the world's largest zinc reserves. Red Dog accounts for 10% of the world's zinc production. Red Dog accounted for 55% of the mineral value produced in Alaska in 2008. In 2008 the mine produced 515,200 metric tons (507,100 LT; 567,900 ST) of zinc, 122,600 metric tons (120,700 LT; 135,100 ST) of lead, and 283 metric tons (9,100,000 ozt) of silver, for a total metal value of over one billion dollars. At the end of 2008 the mine had reserves of 61,400,000 metric tons (60,400,000 LT; 67,700,000 ST) of zinc at a grade of 17.1% and 61,400,000 tonnes (60,400,000 LT; 67,700,000 ST) of lead at a grade of 4.5%, as well as significant additional zinc and lead in the less well-measured resource category.
According to a 2007 EPA report, the mine, which produces from an open pit, was mining the Aqqaluk ore body, immediately adjacent to the previous pit. Aqqaluk contains an additional 56 million metric tons (62 million short tons) of lead and zinc ore. The expansion was expected to keep the mine operating until 2031.: 16